Chinese Entertainment: Academic Director

Chapter 337 Different choices
Wang Quan'an led Yu Nan outside.

Yu Nan lowered her head, her steps somewhat stiff. Wang Quan called her twice before she reacted and gave a stiff smile.

Wang Quan turned around and looked at Cao Yang, then awkwardly touched his bald head.

Cao Yang sighed softly to himself.

Human nature sometimes really can't withstand the test.

He speculated that Wang Quan's case would ultimately involve a bid for the Golden Bear, as Xi'an Film Studio has extensive connections in Berlin, and could even be considered one of Berlin's core factions.

Cao Yang hoped that Wang Quan'an would choose the Berlin Film Festival Best Actress award, but Wang Quan'an seemed to have a big appetite, and it's possible that Xi'an Film Studio was already working on it behind the scenes.

Only someone as intelligent as Wang Quan'an would hesitate if he saw hope.

In order to win the Golden Bear, Wang Quan'an will probably give up the Berlin Film Festival Best Actress award, which is within her grasp.

However, Yu Nan is his girlfriend after all, and she has been with him since before he graduated from university. He will probably take two or three days to slowly persuade Yu Nan.

Eight years of relationship is not just talk.

Cao Yang believed that Yu Nan would compromise for the sake of Wang Quan's case.

With the Golden Bear Award, Wang Quan's case gained a different status.

While Cao Yang was still speculating, the door to the private room was pushed open again.

"It must be Li Yu who has arrived."

Cao Yang looked up and saw not Li Yu, but Wang Quan'an, who had returned.

This time he was alone; Yu Nan didn't come in.

Cao Yang was a little confused. Could it be that Wang Quan'an wanted to give Yu Nan a surprise and had made a decision to win the Berlin Film Festival Best Actress award?

If that's the case, Cao Yang looks at him with new respect.

Although this person did some bad things for the sake of awards, didn't most of the fifth and sixth generation directors also make domestic "scar" series films for the sake of awards?

Should we try to win him the Golden Bear Award?
How bad can someone be if they can think of their girlfriend and secretly surprise her, even if they have some ulterior motives?

"Director Cao, do you think I have a good chance of winning the Golden Bear?"

After saying this, Wang Quan touched his bald head and then explained softly, "You know, Xi'an Film Studio has some connections in Berlin, which should be of some use."

Cao Yang believed that Wang Quan's case was simply about wanting to make one last "struggle".

He thought for a moment and said, "There are many factors that influence the Golden Bear Award, and it's really hard to be sure until the very last moment."

Cao Yang didn't treat Wang Quan'an perfunctorily. In his previous life, Wang Quan'an was able to win the Golden Bear with this film. This time, Cao Yang became the chairman of the jury, which seemed to be more advantageous for him.

However, Dieter Kosslick, the director of the Berlin Film Festival, might think that with Cao Yang as the jury president, two other Chinese members on the jury, and Jia Zhangke invited to become the principal of the "Genius Training Camp"...

Are there too many Chinese elements at this year's Berlin Film Festival?

If "Tuya's Marriage" were to receive the Golden Bear, wouldn't there be even more Chinese elements?
Is this the Berlin Film Festival, or the Berlin branch of the Chinese Film Festival?

Therefore, Wang Quan's "Tuya's Marriage" may not necessarily win the Golden Bear this time.

Cao Yang glanced at Wang Quan's case, then said casually:
"However, you still have a significant advantage. You've managed to combine the broader context of environmental protection with the film's content. You have a keen understanding of the mindset of Westerners, which makes this a very politically correct film for them."

Wang Quan touched his bald head again, a smug smile on his face. He didn't realize that Cao Yang was subtly mocking him, and thought Cao Yang was praising his intelligence.

"Director Cao, what if we add you to the list?"

Wang Quan looked at Cao Yang expectantly, and then said:
"You are the leading figure of our Beijing Film Academy, the face and the backbone. You are also the chairman of the jury for this film festival. If our Beijing Film Academy produces another Golden Bear film, everyone will definitely feel that under your leadership, the Beijing Film Academy will only get better and better."

Are you trying to flatter me?

Cao Yang had already sensed that something was wrong. Was Wang Quan's plan not to surprise Yu Nan, but to fight for himself?

That's your girlfriend who started dating you before she even graduated from university!
Those were the best eight years of my youth!
You wouldn't be so heartless, would you? At least go back and coax her for a couple of days to get her to "willingly" support your bid for the Golden Bear, right?

Cao Yang decided to try to salvage the situation one more time. He couldn't believe that anyone could be so heartless as to refuse to even go back and coax him for two days.
"Director Wang, let me tell you the truth. I have an agreement with Dieter Kosslick, the president of the Berlin Film Festival. The Golden Bear jury cannot make the decision directly, but the other awards... can be decided internally by the jury."

Cao Yang's meaning is very clear: I can't decide your Golden Bear award, but if you want to surprise your girlfriend, I can decide who wins the Berlin Film Festival Best Actress award.

Upon hearing Cao Yang's words, Wang Quan'an paused for a moment, a look of envy appearing on his face.

Aside from not being able to truly decide the Golden Bear, all other awards can be decided by the company itself!

What immense power that is!
It's probably only Cao Yang who could get such "privileges". Who else could get such "privileges"?
Those who know about the three major European competitions might mistakenly believe that the power to judge the main competition category rests entirely with the invited judging panel.

actually not.

Let alone the highest award like the Golden Bear, the jury, which is not influenced by the film festival authorities, can only decide on two or three awards at most.

After all, this is a game of "dividing the cake".

Wang Quan knew that Cao Yang had a great influence not only domestically but also internationally. He had never had a clear understanding of this before, but through this incident, he finally saw one aspect of Cao Yang's influence.

"Director Cao, what if we add you to the list?"

Wang Quan asked again. This time he appeared even more respectful, his attitude impeccable.

"Are you sure you want... want to try for the Golden Bear?"

Cao Yang sighed, feeling humiliated. Eight years! Wasn't it worth even one night for you to consider?
Wang Quan nodded, looking at Cao Yang with anticipation.

Cao Yang remained silent for a while, then composed himself, looked at Wang Quan'an seriously, and said, "On behalf of the judging panel, I will only fill in your name when selecting the Golden Bear."

Wang Quan'an was overjoyed for a moment, and stammered, "Thank you, Director Cao, thank you, Director Cao. You are the only spiritual leader of Beijing Film Academy. I will follow your lead from now on, I..."

Cao Yang waved to interrupt him, and as he left, he reminded him again, "The Golden Bear award is too uncertain. Even if I only submit one of your films, it might not be useful. Don't have too high hopes."

“I know, I know, no matter the outcome, I am extremely grateful to you.”

Watching Wang Quan'an leave, Cao Yang gave a self-deprecating smile, never expecting that there really were such people.

This is your own choice.

There's a saying that goes, "Too clever by half." I've explained it so clearly, but you still don't understand.

Okay, if you're not involved, you probably won't understand.

On behalf of the jury, I will only write your name on the Golden Bear nomination list. However, whether for the sake of the Berlin Film Festival's authority or for his own, the Berlin Film Festival president, Dieter Kosslick, will absolutely not accept it.

In other words, whoever's name I put on the Golden Bear shortlist will be 100% ineligible for the Golden Bear!

After a while, Li Yu pushed the door open and came in.

Cao Yang didn't waste any words with her, and directly took out four envelopes, gesturing for Li Yu to take a look.

These four envelopes were given to him by members of the judging panel at Cao Yang's request; they were the four envelopes with the movie's title actually written on them.

Li Yu was a little confused at first, but after she read the four envelopes, she knew what they were.

At this moment, her face looked very pale, and she was unable to control her emotions well.

Do you know why nobody chose your Apple Daily?

Cao Yang asked.

Li Yu shook her head, somewhat dazed, and said, "I...I don't know."

"You're too greedy."

Cao Yang said, "You tried to express too much in a short film of about a hundred minutes, so much so that you couldn't distinguish between the main and secondary points, and as a result, none of them met expectations."

"I... I just felt that those things were all award-winning elements, so I wanted to combine them..."

Li Yu muttered to herself, looking very downcast.

Cao Yang paused for a moment, then said directly, "There's one thing I particularly dislike about your movie, and that's the title."

"name?"

Li Yu was somewhat surprised and puzzled; this was something she hadn't expected.

"Lost in Beijing, I don't know if you did it on purpose or if you really think the movie's content suits this title."

But after watching the movie, I even felt that Wang Xiaoshuai's "Beijing Bicycle" was a more fitting title than your film.

Cao Yang glanced at Li Yu and then said:
"On a side note, do you know what year next year is? The Beijing Olympics. The country has been trying its best to promote Beijing in recent years, but you've come up with 'Lost in Beijing'."

You know, if it had been three or four years earlier, your movie with this title could have appealed to the West, and you might have even won a European award just because of the title.

But now?

China has long reached a consensus with Europe and the United States. Your name is so insignificant that the West no longer cares. On the contrary, it will make the higher-ups... you know what I mean.

This is why, out of all the judges in Berlin, not one was willing to fight for an award for you.

To put it bluntly, this is like eating shit before it's even hot.

Li Yu looked somewhat dejected, sighed, and said, "I understand, Director Cao. Thank you for explaining so much to me."

Cao Yang was also having a headache. Damn it, neither of the two Chinese films that made it into the main competition was easy for him.

I can't just become the chairman of the jury and expect both Chinese-language films to fail to win any awards, can I?

Cao Yang felt a little powerless. He held up two fingers and said to Li Yu:
"I'll give you two options. I can try to get you a jury award or a best new actor award. You can go back and think about it, and give me an answer as soon as possible, don't drag it out too long."

A look of surprise appeared on Li Yu's face.

The Jury Prize, not the Grand Jury Prize, is a consolation prize, but some people still receive the Silver Bear.

The Best New Actor Award is somewhat of a consolation prize, recognizing new actors; there is also a Silver Bear.

After considering it for a moment, Li Yu smiled and said:

"Since Director Cao doesn't like the title of my movie, I won't accept the jury award. Let's give Jiang Yiyan the Best New Actress award instead. She has a good image and acting skills, and she's a graduate of the Beijing Film Academy. I have high hopes for her."

(End of this chapter)